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Topic Review (Newest First)

11-26-2012 01:22 PM

casey1999

Re: Wasp in Mast/Sail

Went down to the boat yesterday. No wasp in the mast or boom (tape still intact). But noticed two wasp flew out of the sail cover. Found 8 wasp sitting on the boom. I can still smell the moth balls and seems the vapor has made the wasp "drunk". They were not agressive at all. Had some wasp spray and hit just the wasp and killed them. Did not find any nest in the sail. Took boat out and found no wasps, nor were they coming out of mast or following the boat.

Hope that is the end. The moth balls do seem to help keep them out of boom and mast. Might be a good practice if your boat will be on the hard for a while.

Thanks for the advice.

11-22-2012 12:22 AM

MedSailor

Re: Wasp in Mast/Sail

Quote:

Originally Posted by svHyLyte

We had a similar problem this past summer with paper wasps taking up residence in our mast, reaching strut, life-sling storage bag and under our sail cover between weekends. Based upon some research, I made up a mix consisting of two cups of water, a cap full of liquid dish soap and a couple of tablespoons of Oil of Mint (Oil of Pepper can also be used but I could not find any at our local markets). Mixed and placed in a spray bottle, after cleaning out the nests we could find/reach, we sprayed this into the openings on the mast we could reach and the other items listed. By the following weekend, the critters were all but gone. I have continued applications from time-to-time and the critters have not reappeared.

FWIW...

Hmmm.... a man overboard situation and you find a wasps nest in the Life Sling. Now THAT would suck!

Casey, nice thinking on the painters tape. I had assumed they were going in through the top when you said halyard outlets but if they're not, then sealing up the holes sounds like a good idea to me! Just watch and see if they're eating through your barriers. They're good at that.....

MedSailor

11-21-2012 02:44 PM

svHyLyte

Re: Wasp in Mast/Sail

We had a similar problem this past summer with paper wasps taking up residence in our mast, reaching strut, life-sling storage bag and under our sail cover between weekends. Based upon some research, I made up a mix consisting of two cups of water, a cap full of liquid dish soap and a couple of tablespoons of Oil of Mint (Oil of Pepper can also be used but I could not find any at our local markets). Mixed and placed in a spray bottle, after cleaning out the nests we could find/reach, we sprayed this into the openings on the mast we could reach and the other items listed. By the following weekend, the critters were all but gone. I have continued applications from time-to-time and the critters have not reappeared.

FWIW...

11-21-2012 02:04 PM

JimMcGee

Re: Wasp in Mast/Sail

Don't over think it.

Mud wasps were a real problem at our marina this spring after a mild winter. They got into my AC discharge line and clogged it with what looked like cement, they got into the mast and under the sail cover into the folds of the sail. A couple of them even tried to start a nest under the hatch boards stacked on deck while we were working on the boat!

I just got a two pack of Spectracide (sp?) wasp and hornet spray, cracked a beer and watched where they were going. I waited until dusk and hosed those areas down. No more wasps.

11-21-2012 01:47 PM

casey1999

Re: Wasp in Mast/Sail

Wasp Update:
Yesterday go down to the boat to check on my wasp. None to be found on the boat or flying around. I had some moth balls so decide to drop about 10 in the mast through the haylard outlets. Also dropped 10 into the boom. Took a month ball and rubbed it on the sail cover and main sail. Then taped the mast openings with painters tape. As I was putting the tape on the mast, a wasp flew towards me and was going to go in the mast hole, but it seemed to get a hit from the moth balls and left- never to be seen again. Hope to sail this weekend so will see how it goes. Don't know if there is a nest on board, or if they are just preparing to make a nest, hope when I go down to the boat there is not an angry crew of wasp wainting for me on the deck.

I did look at ingredients for Raid wasp spray. It is 99% petroleum products and I called Raid- they do not reccomend using it on a boat. Also, the stuff seems pretty hazardous to marine life.

11-20-2012 11:36 PM

Cruisingdad

Re: Wasp in Mast/Sail

Quote:

Originally Posted by casey1999

I keep getting wasp that appear to be trying to nest inside my mast (enter through the internal haylard holes), and also try to nest under the mainsail cover while sitting at dock.

What is best repellant to use? If I spray with wasp spray will it damage my haylards, paint, sails, or fiberglass.

I keep getting wasp that appear to be trying to nest inside my mast (enter through the internal haylard holes), and also try to nest under the mainsail cover while sitting at dock.

What is best repellant to use? If I spray with wasp spray will it damage my haylards, paint, sails, or fiberglass.

Regards

For wasps to be so common on your boat ...... and such 'mud daubers' REQUIRE the living carcasses of SPIDERS to grow their 'young' ... remove or kill any and all excess spiders you find in your area.
There are 'spider repellents' available to help keep the spider population in check:

You can also do a websearch for DIY 'spider repellents' and use them on the adjacent areas where you keep your boat.

The less/least population of spiders the less/least population of 'mud dauber' wasps. Mud daubers require a large population of spiders to feed upon and to lay their egg in.

11-20-2012 09:47 PM

HDChopper

Re: Wasp in Mast/Sail

Sevin ! dear god ...

Dishsoap & water in a pan with a handle on it will kill them all & nest.

11-20-2012 05:32 PM

zboss

Re: Wasp in Mast/Sail

Sevin in powder form kills everything with just a small puff. You can put some in a small sandwich bag with the corner clipped off and just kinda spray the stuff into the holes, or just get a cheap puffer from ebay. As the wasps touch it they bring it back to their nest and it kills everything in the nest within two-three days. Plus, it sticks around a few months to keep them away while the wasp pheromones get weaker.

11-20-2012 04:53 PM

tdw

Re: Wasp in Mast/Sail

I've found that you must completely irradicate the nest. even the smallest trace left intact and the blighters will come back.

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